Procedure 2.1.21 PHYSICAL INTERVENTION / CONTAINMENT

Approved: February 20, 2001

Revised: October 20, 2020

1.0 Introduction

As educators, our primary goal is to promote the development of each individual to their fullest potential. In doing so, we must preserve the dignity of each student at all times. District School Board Ontario North East is committed to the concept of using the least restrictive and intrusive approaches to dealing with dangerous student behaviour. This involves the use of positive strategies as much as possible in dealing with problem behaviour.

Physical intervention/containment should be used only as a last resort. Placing an emergency call to 911 is always an option in a crisis situation.

For students at the secondary level, physical intervention/containment is NOT recommended. There may be exceptions for students with autism or developmental disabilities where physical intervention/ containment is carefully considered as part of their Individual Education Plan.

2.0 Definition of Physical Intervention/Containment

Physical intervention/ containment of a student is defined as the safe restriction of movement of the student by one or more persons using one of a variety of acceptable and safe holding techniques which allow the use of the least amount of force necessary in the situation until the student regains self-control. Physical intervention/containment can also include appropriate staff responses to hair pulling, biting, hitting or the need to move the student.

3.0 Unacceptable Practices Related to Physical Intervention/Containment

4.0 Situations that Warrant the Use of Physical Intervention/Containment

5.0 Staff Training Required for the Use of Physical Intervention/Containment

It is the responsibility of the principal to ensure that annual in-service training in the use of physical intervention/containment is provided to appropriate staff members.
Training in the use of physical intervention/containment is an annual requirement for Educational Assistants and optional and voluntary for teachers and principals as required by need.
In-service training sessions should be conducted by expert trainers who may be employees of District School Board Ontario North East.
In-service training should include the following components:

5.1 recognition of early signs of a crisis situation

5.2 stages of progression of a crisis situation

5.3 strategies for diffusing the situation before the use of physical intervention/containment is necessary

5.4 experience in using acceptable methods of physical intervention/containment recognition of the importance of team work in the use of physical intervention/containment

6.0 Debriefing Practices:

For students who have the ability to understand the consequences of their actions, a debriefing meeting should be convened before the student returns to the classroom. This meeting could include, as appropriate for the situation, the student, teachers, principal, administrators, support staff, counsellors and parents or guardians. The aim of this meeting is to restore positive communication through the discussion of the feelings of all involved, as well as possible alternative actions more appropriate than dangerous behaviour.

In some cases, students who have witnessed a particularly disturbing event of the physical intervention/Containment of another student may benefit from an informal debriefing meeting to create an opportunity for positive counselling and the sharing of perceptions and feelings.

All staff involved in an incident of physical intervention/containment should meet soon after the incident to evaluate the collective response to the incident and the effectiveness of the student’s Individual Education Plan , if applicable. Such a meeting should be convened by the principal and could involve other staff as appropriate to the situation.

7.0 Documentation of the Use of Physical Intervention/Containment

The principal will file and forward a Use of Physical Intervention/containment Incident Report Form (Appendix A) to the appropriate District School Board Ontario North East personnel and parent or guardian.

The principal will forward a Ontario School Boards Insurance Exchange Form and/or a Worker’s Safety Insurance Form and/or a Violent Incident Report to the appropriate District School Board Ontario North East personnel IF any injury has resulted from the use of physical intervention/Containment.

8.0 Physical Intervention/Containment as Part of the Student Individual Education Plan:

For most students, the use of physical intervention/containment should never be required or indeed be a one time event in an unexpected crisis situation. There may be a few students who, because of an on-going need to be physically restrained, will require notation in their Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.). This Individual Safety Plan (I.S.P./ Appendix B) should be included in the I.E.P. and will include the behavioural components that will hopefully lead to the reduction of the incidence of need of physical intervention/Containment. The I.S.P. should clearly outline the purpose of intervention/Containment and the conditions of its use. It should be developed in consultation with all educational and outside agency staff involved as well as the parents or guardians of students under the age of 18 years.

9.0 Parental Involvement in the Use of Physical Intervention/Containment:

Parents or guardians are to be informed by telephone as soon as possible after each incident of physical intervention/containment involving their child.
Parents or guardians should be invited to debriefing meetings involving their child as appropriate and possible.
In some cases, the parents or guardians of students who have witnessed a particularly disturbing event of the physical intervention/containment of another student should be informed of the general circumstances by telephone. Confidentiality should be maintained as much as possible.
Parents or guardians of students who have been restrained will receive a copy of the Physical Intervention/Containment Incident Report Form (Appendix A) and the Individualized Safety Plan Form (Appendix B), if applicable.

Appendices

References